Retz Funeral Home • Formerly Opp & Conrad
315 E. Sixth Ave.
Photos Courtesy of Retz Funeral Home & Crematory, via Lisa Ruybal

Opp & Conrad Funeral Home, 1930s


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The 1926 Retz Funeral Home at 315 E. Sixth (formerly Opp & Conrad) is a contributing property of the Helena Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The listing reads:

"Opp and Conrad Funeral Home (315 E. Sixth Ave.)
Jacob Opp and his sons Lawrence and Arthur worked for the longtime undertaking firm of Herrmann and Company before opening their own mortuary with partner Ralph J. Conrad in 1926.

Both Lawrence and Arthur Opp were graduates of Chicago’s prestigious Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Unlike the Opps, Conrad was new to the funeral business; he previously managed the Bozeman telephone exchange.

The partners hired builder George Jacoby to construct this facility specifically as a funeral home. Its gently pitched roof, exposed rafter tails, and mixed materials of brick and stucco harmonize with the urban landscape. Concrete-capped brick piers flanking a sleek panel of glass blocks, centered beneath the roof’s peak, emphasize a horizontal orientation popular at the time. Finely crafted leaded, beveled, and stained glass windows enhance the façade while handsome wood finishing completes the interior.

The state-of-the-art facility was Helena’s first undertaking firm to use limousine-type vehicles, thus eliminating antiquated conveyances traditionally associated with funerals. Opp and Conrad operated until 1954 when the name changed to the Retz Funeral Home."



Opp & Conrad's first location was in Fraternal Hall, also known as Germania Hall, located at 12-14 North Park Avenue. Affter Opp & Conrad moved to their new 315 E. Sixth Ave. building in the summer of 1926, the Knights of Columbus moved into the Park Avenue address, where they remained for many years.






 

New Building at 315 E. Sixth Opens in Summer of 1926



1932 Interior Views of Opp & Conrad
Photographs by Les Jorud

The Foyer


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Office


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Slumber Room


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Family Room


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The Chapel, 1953


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The Chapel, 1945


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1949 Remodeling

The original Sixth Avenue entrance was eliminated in 1949. The concrete steps and two exterior wall-mounted lamps were removed, and the original doorway space was infilled with glass blocks. A partially enclosed entrance was added to the northeast corner, and a room was added on the northwest corner. Compare these ca1930 and 1953 views...


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1952


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1955 Open House

Thanks to Lisa Ruybal and Retz for sharing the beautiful photographs!

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